Bhutan Tour Packages from India: Permits, Cost, 5-7 Days

Suzu Travels offers customised Bhutan tour packages from India covering Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Tiger’s Nest. We arrange accommodation, private transport, sightseeing, entry permits and other travel requirements based on your dates, group size and preferred travel style.

No Visa for Indians Permits Arranged Fly or Drive In Veg & Jain Meals Arranged

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Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery on a cliff, Bhutan — Tiger's Nest, Paro

Punakha Dzong beside the river, Bhutan — Punakha Dzong

What makes Bhutan different

Bhutan does not chase visitor numbers. It manages them deliberately, which is why the valleys stay quiet, the monasteries are not overrun and the air genuinely feels different. For Indian travellers it is one of the few places abroad that is both easy to enter and completely unlike home. You will not find the crowds of Thailand or the neon of Singapore. You will find fortress monasteries above river confluences, prayer flags on every pass, and a country that measures itself by something other than growth.

VisaNot required for Indian citizens

Entry PermitRequired — we arrange it

ID NeededPassport or Voter ID

Best SeasonMar–May, Sep–Nov

Typical Trip5 to 7 days

CurrencyNgultrum (INR accepted)

On permits and fees: Indian nationals do not need a visa, but Bhutan requires an entry permit for each traveller and applies a Sustainable Development Fee, charged at a concessional rate for Indian and regional visitors. Both the permit process and the fee have been revised more than once in recent years. We confirm the exact current requirement and cost for your travel dates in writing before you pay anything.

Who are Bhutan tour packages from India best for?

Bhutan is a good choice for Indian families, couples, senior travellers and small groups looking for a peaceful international holiday without a visa requirement. It works particularly well for travellers who want a combination of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, monasteries, Himalayan scenery and a slower travel experience.

Flying in or driving in

By air to Paro

Direct flights operate from Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and Bagdogra. Paro’s approach between the mountains is famously dramatic and the airport is served by a small number of certified pilots, so schedules are weather-sensitive. Flying saves two full days compared with the overland route and is the sensible choice on a five-day trip.

Overland via Phuentsholing

The land border at Phuentsholing connects to Jaigaon in West Bengal, reached via Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri. Permits are processed here. It costs you a day in each direction but it is considerably cheaper and the drive up to Thimphu through the foothills is genuinely beautiful. Good choice if you have seven days or more and want to keep costs down.

How can Indians travel to Bhutan?

Indian travellers can reach Bhutan by flying to Paro or by travelling overland through the Jaigaon–Phuentsholing border. A passport or Indian voter ID is required, and Indian citizens do not need a visa, although an entry permit and applicable Sustainable Development Fee requirements must be completed.

A sample 6-day itinerary

How we typically structure a first Bhutan trip. Yours gets rebuilt around your dates, group and fitness — particularly the Tiger’s Nest day.

Day 1 — Arrive Paro, drive to ThimphuArrival formalities, then the riverside drive to the capital. Evening walk through Thimphu’s small, walkable centre.

Day 2 — ThimphuBuddha Dordenma overlooking the valley, Tashichho Dzong, the National Memorial Chorten, the takin preserve and the traditional crafts school.

Day 3 — Thimphu to PunakhaOver the Dochula Pass with its 108 chortens and, on a clear morning, the eastern Himalaya laid out behind them. Punakha Dzong at the meeting of the Pho and Mo rivers is the most beautiful building in the country.

Day 4 — Punakha to ParoOptional walk to Chimi Lhakhang through the rice fields, then return to Paro. Evening free.

Day 5 — Tiger’s NestThe climb to Taktsang Monastery, clinging to a cliff above the valley. Four to five hours round trip on foot; horses are available for the first half. Afternoon at Kyichu Lhakhang and Paro town.

Day 6 — DepartureTransfer to Paro airport or begin the overland journey back.

About the Tiger’s Nest climb

This is the reason most people come, and the part most underestimate. Taktsang sits about 900 metres above the valley floor. The path is well made but steep and continuous, at altitude, and the round trip takes four to five hours at a moderate pace. Horses can carry you as far as the cafeteria roughly halfway, but the final stretch of stairs must be walked. Reasonably fit travellers of any age manage it comfortably if they start early and take it slowly. If anyone in your group has knee or heart concerns, tell us and we will plan an alternative day rather than have them find out on the mountain.

When to go

March–May · Best overallSpring brings rhododendron and jacaranda into flower, clear skies and comfortable walking weather. Paro Tshechu falls in this window and is worth planning around.

September–November · ExcellentPost-monsoon clarity, the sharpest mountain views of the year and the Thimphu and Punakha festivals. The most popular season, so hotels fill early.

December–February · Cold and quietVery few visitors and crisp visibility. Thimphu and Paro are cold but manageable; high passes can close with snow and Punakha stays warmer than the rest.

June–August · MonsoonGreen valleys and low rates, but cloud, leeches on trails and occasional road disruption. Only worth it if you are flexible and budget-driven.

What your package includes

Permits and documentationEntry permits for every traveller and each restricted area on your route, processed before you arrive.

AccommodationGovernment-approved hotels matched to your budget tier, named in your quote rather than described vaguely.

Private vehicle and driverSized to your group, with a driver who knows the mountain roads. Bhutan’s routes are winding and this matters.

Licensed Bhutanese guideRequired for tourists in Bhutan, and genuinely worth having — the dzongs mean very little without someone to explain them.

Meals as agreedMost Bhutan packages run full board. Vegetarian and Jain requirements arranged in advance with the hotels.

Sustainable Development FeeShown as a separate, clearly stated line in your quote at the current concessional rate for Indian nationals.

How booking works

Tell us the basics

Rough dates, number of travellers, and whether you want to fly into Paro or drive via Phuentsholing.

Get a costed itinerary

Day-by-day plan with named hotels, permit costs and the SDF shown separately. Usually within 24 hours.

Adjust until it fits

Add Phobjikha valley, drop a day, change hotel tier. We re-quote as often as you need.

Confirm with a token

Lock your rate with a small token amount. We then begin permit processing, which needs lead time.

Common questions about Bhutan

Do Indians need a visa for Bhutan?

No. Indian citizens do not require a visa. You do need an entry permit, which must be arranged before or on arrival, and a Sustainable Development Fee applies at a concessional rate for Indian nationals. We handle the permits and state the current fee clearly in your quote.

Can I travel to Bhutan independently as an Indian?

Independent travel is possible for Indian nationals, but permits, the SDF and the guide requirement for most sites make it considerably more work than it looks. Most travellers find a package simpler and no more expensive once everything is counted.

How many days does Bhutan need?

Five to six days covers Paro, Thimphu and Punakha properly, including the Tiger’s Nest climb. Seven or eight lets you add Phobjikha valley or travel overland. Under four days is only realistic if you fly both ways and skip Punakha.

How much does a Bhutan trip from India cost?

The cost of a Bhutan tour from India depends on the number of days, hotel category, transportation, travel dates and whether you fly to Paro or travel overland through Phuentsholing. A typical 5–7 day Bhutan package can be quoted with accommodation, transport, sightseeing, guide services and applicable permits or fees clearly separated. As an indicative guide (prices checked September 2026), a 5-night Bhutan package travelling overland via Bagdogra and Phuentsholing, with 3-star hotels, a private vehicle, a licensed guide, permits and the SDF, typically costs ₹30,000–45,000 per person on twin sharing, excluding travel to Bagdogra. Flying into Paro and upgrading to 4-star hotels usually brings it to ₹60,000–90,000 per person. The Sustainable Development Fee for Indian nationals is currently ₹1,200 per person per night and is shown as a separate line in your quote.

Is Bhutan suitable for elderly travellers?

Yes, with planning. The valleys, dzongs and drives are comfortable for most older travellers. Tiger’s Nest is the exception — it is a genuine climb. We build the itinerary so that anyone not walking up still has a full day rather than sitting in a hotel.

Will I find vegetarian food?

Easily. Bhutanese cuisine uses a great deal of cheese, chilli and rice, and hotels are used to Indian guests. Jain requirements need advance notice, which we give when booking rather than on the day.

Is mobile network and internet available?

Yes in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. Indian SIMs do not work on domestic rates, so plan on a local SIM or hotel wifi. Coverage thins on the passes and in Phobjikha.